Phonograph.



No. 849,086. PATENTED APR. 2, 1907.

W. W. ROSENFIELD. PHONOGRAPH.

APPLICATION -FILED MAY 16. 1906.

m-uofwtoz WMM W UNrTED sTATns PATENT .orrion PHpoNo-GRAPH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aprn- 2, 1 so?.

Application filed May 16. 1906. Serial No. 317,065.

To all whom, zit may concern: Be it known that I, WILLIAM W. ROSEN- FIELD, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, county of New York, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Phonographs fully described and represented in the following specification and the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the same. Y

This invention relates to improvements in phonograph-reproducers. 'A

In phonographs in which the reproducingpoint is moved laterallyof -the record by 'means of a feed-screw or other means other than the record-groove itself, as in the common type of cylinder-machines, more or less'i difficulty has been encountered heretofore by reason ofthe existence of more or less lost motion in lthe driving means or connections, by which the reproducer is given its movement laterally of the recprd-groove or longitudinally of the record-mandrel. In such machines the connect-ion between the reproducing-point and the diap agm of the reproducer is usually such as td'permit. some lateral movement ofthe reproducing-point independently of and relatlvely to the diaphragm, so that' the reproducing-point may automatically adjust its position with relation to the 'rec9rd-groove, and in. order to avoid any difficulty due to irregularity ofthe record-surface the reproducing-point in a well-known type of reproducers is carried by a lever connected with the diaphragm andA zr; pivotally mounted on a weighted or springpressed member or devicewhich is capable of movingtoward and from the diaphragm and acts as a retarding device, the inertia of which will not be overcome by quick vibrations corresponding to the sound-waves-to bel reproduced, but which will be moved by and l take up the slower movements of the repro- ".ducing-point due to irregularities in the record-surface. Such `retarding device is also usually' mounted so as to be capable of some lateral movement relatively to the diaphra m, being usually pivoted at one side of. the diaphragm and its laterahmovement,

which is then a swinging movement about its i pivot, limited by means of a pin extending into a loop at the other side of the diaphragm, which loopA also forms a supporting means for the retardingdevice when the reproduc'er is moved to carry the reproducing-point off reproducer over the record in starting the machine after the reproducing-point has been brought into engagement with the record the rotationl of the record-cylinder will cause the 6o reproducing-point to be moved forward somewhat before the forward movement of the carrier begins, and in making such independent lateral movement the reproducing-point will cause a corresponding movement of the retarding device relatively to the. diaphragm.

' Such independent lateral movement of the reproducing-point and of the retarding device will be more or less according to the amount of lost motion in the reproducer 7o drivingpmeans and according to the position -of the driving devices and connections before starting vand will always be a relatively small amount; but any such movement whereby -the re reducing-point is movedout vof its norma positionrelatively-to the diaphragm. is undesirable, and frequently such movement will be sufficient to cause the pin on the retarding device to come into enga ement with the side of the supporting-loop, t us in- 8o terfering with the free movement of, the re- 'tarding device.

The object of thepresent invention is to avoid the abozve difficulty due to lateral movement of the reproducing-point and of 8 5 the ,retarding device relatively to the diaphragm in starting, and l this diiiiculty is avoided in accordance with the invention by providing means whereby the reproducing'- point and retardin device, when such device 9o 1s used, is,n shifte slightly backward relatively to the dia hragm when the re Aroducing-point is 0H t e record, so that w en the reproducing-point is brought into engageshifted position the preliminary independent movement of the re roducing-point above referred to will mere y result inmoving it back to its normal osition relatively to the diaphragm.A For thisl urpose, in the con- 10o .struction above referre to, in which a iv.

oted retarding deviceis employed whic is supported at 'one side of the diaphragm by'V means of a pin extending into a loop or other means for limiting the lateral swinging move- 1 o 5 ment of the retarding device and for sup porting the same when the reproducing-point is off the record, the supporting portion of the Y loop is inclined,s'o thatwhen the retarding device-is su ported-thereby it will be thrown i 1o 55 the record. By reason of the lost 'motion lbove referred to in the means for feeding the' slightly backward from its normal position. f Aff-'ull understanding of then invention can.

ment withthe record while in this slightly- 9 5-v best be given by adetailed description: of a preferred construction embodying the same,n

the direction of the arrow 2 of Fig. 1. Figs.

3 and` 4 are views similar to Fig. 2, showing the r4reprc'ducer in different position Figs. 2a, 3, and 4a are detailviews corresponding to Figs. v2, 3, ande `and illustrating a construction not'embodying the present inven-A tion. K Fig. 5 is a side View, partly insection,A Ashowing an application of the invention'to a` slightly-different form of that shown in Fig. 1. tion on line 6 of F ig. 5.

Referring to the drawings, and rst to Figs. '1 to 4a, 10 represents the cylindrical mandrel forcarrying arecord-cylinder 11. 1,2 reprephonograph from Fig. 6 is a detail secL sents the reproducer-carrier, such carrier be.

ing mounted on a sleeve 13, along which it is moved during the re roducing operation by means vof the usual fbedscrew 14, the feedscrew being 'engaged by a feed-nut l5 when the reproducer is in position to bring thefreproducing-point into engagement withl y the record. The reproducer is carried by a pivoted holder 16, which maybe raised to lift the reproducer away lfrom the record by a handlever 17, mounted to turn on the sleeve 13.P

It will be understood that the feed-shaft and4 f themandrel are'rotated together,byjsuitable` connections from a common motor orother source of power, asusu'al. The'reproducer 20 is of a well-known form, having a retard-v v ing device in the form of a floating weight 2-1y ,1

'pivoted at 22 to the rim of the reproducer, so as to be movable iatwise toward vand from the diaphragmand the record and also capawhich carries the reproduoingfpoint 26 and Vthe other end of which is connected by a link ble of a lateral movement transversely of the s iral record-gr'oove. A pin 23 ,extends from t efopp'osite edge of the floating weight into a loop or staple 24, extending from the rim of the reproducer, such pin and loop or staple acting to limit the lateral movement of the yweight and tosupport the same when `the reproducer is lifted to carry the reproducingpoint off the record. Pivotally l the floating weight is a lever 25, one end of to the diaphragm 27.

As so far described `the construction is of a well-known form. As heretofore construct ed the supporting-loop. 24 has been formedso, that when the reproducer is raised tolift/th'e 'reproducing-point off the Arecord the floating weight will besupporf-ed in its normal posi? the rinclined )tion shown in Fig. 4, thus shifting the .float-VV ing Weight and the reproducing-point slightlymounted on' tionla'terally Withirelation tothe diaphragm,

the loop'being located so that when the weightfis in such central position the pin 23? will lie about midway between the sides of the loop, and the bsupporting end of-'the loop being symmetrically rounded, so that when the reproducer is raised the'pin 23 will come to rest in its central position relatively to the sides ofthe loop, as shown in Fig. 4a, thus holdingthe floating Weight in its normal central position relatively to thev diaphragm.

With-this construction when the reproducer is lowered to operative vposition the Heating weight kw1ll` be -supported by the reproducing`- point and 4the pin 23 Will take the `position relatively to the loop shown in Fig-2, and

when the machine is started movement of the carrier 12 will gins its rotation, fonthe reason hereinbefore 'pointed out, with the result that the reproducing-point, and consequently the `floating weight 21, will be given aQSlight lateral move# ment relatively to the diaphragm before the feeding movement 'of-the reproducer begins.

Suchrelative movement willeause the pin 23 i to move out of its central position iii the loop 24, and such movement will often be suffi-f engageas shown in cient to cause the pinto come into ment with the side 0f the loop, Fig. 32` .The Afloating weight and the reproducer and its connection with the diaphragm will thus be thrown outvof their normal cen,-

the ,feedingI usually not commence until after the record-mandrel be- Y tralposition, and the engagement of the pin 'i 23 with .the side-of the loop 24 will vinterfere withthe free movement of the floating weight. To avoid such difficulty by the application of the present invention to the conf struction shown, the supporting portion of .the loop 24'is inclined, so that when the reproducer is raised to lift the reproducingpoint ofi. the record the pin 23 will slide on portion of the loop no the posibackward relatively to the diaphragm. The parts will then be supported ,in this position l,until the reproducer is again lowered to bring the reproducingpint into engagement with the'record, .and when thus returned to opera.- ftive position the floating weight and repro- 4ducing-point will retain such shifted position relatively to the diaphragm, as shown in Fig. 2, with the `result that when the machine is started andthe record-mandrel be ins to ro` tate before the commencement'of t e feeding v movement ofthe reproducer-carrier the. re#

sulting movement of the floating weight and the reproducing o int relatively to the diaphragm will resu t merely in returning these IIQ partsto their normal operative position een trally with relation to the diaphragm.

Fig. 5 shows an application of the inven#y tion to-a construction similar to but slightly modified from that shown in Fig. l. As

' shown in this figure, the reproducer is set directly in the upwardly-extending portion of the carrier 12, the pivoted holder 16 (shown in Fig. 1) being omitted, and the reproducing-point is raised fr om the record by swinging the floating weight 21 away from the record in place of moving the-whole reproducer bodily away from the record. -For effecting such movement of the floating weight the floating weight is provided with a downwardly-extending arm 30, in position to be engaged by the upwardly-extending arm or cam projection 3,1 of the hand-lever 17, the hand-lever being moved upward in this construction for raising the reproducingpoint from the record and disconnecting the feed-nut from, the feed-screw instead of being movedrdownwardly for this purpose, as in Fig. 1. For giving the backward shift to the floating weight and reproducing-point when the weight is lifted to carry'th'e reproducingpoint off the record the parts and. 31 are formed with beveled or inclined engaging faces, as shown by the detailed section in Fig. 6. With these parts so formed, when the hand-lever 17 is raised the engagement of the a'm 31 with the'arm 30 will not only cause the floatingweight 21 to be lifted away from the record, but will also cause it to be shifted slightly backward relativelyn to the diaphragm, in which position it will then'be supported until the hand-lever is moved in' the opposite direction to release the floating weight and permit the reproducing-point to again come into engagement with the record. The same result is-thus secured as is secured through the action of. the loop with the inclined supporting portion, as shown in Figa 2, 3, and 4. The form of the lower or supporting portion of the loop 24 in the construct-ion shown in Fig. 5 is immaterial, as the loop acts in this construction merely to limit the lateral movement of the floating weight and to support the floating weight when the reproducer is removed from the carrier.

lt will be understood that the term phonograph -is used herein as a broad term to include all sound recording and reproducing inachines to which the invention is or may be found applicable.

VVhatis claimed isl. In a phonograph, the combination with the recordcarrier, the reproducer carrier, and a feed-screw and a feed-nut for coacting to give the reproducer-carrier its reproducing movement, of a reproducing-diaphragm, a

reproducing-point connected therewith and capable of movement independently thereof laterally of the record, and means for shifting the reproducing point slightly backward relatively to the diaphragm when off the record, substantially as described.

2. In a phonograph, the combination with the reproducing-diaphragm of a reproducingpoint connected therewith and vcapable of' movement independently thereof laterally of the diaphragm when moved ofi' the record and for hol-ding it in such position until again moved into engagement with the recdord, substantially as described.

nation with the diaphragm, of .a reproducing-p oint connected therewith and capable of movement independently thereof.' laterally of the record, and means for shifting the reprodu'cing-point slightly backward relatively to the diaphragm when ofi' the record, substantially as described.

" bination with the dia bragm, of a reproducing-point coimected t erewith and capable of movement independently thereof laterally of the record, and means i' or supporting the reproducing-point when ofi' the record in a position slightly backward of its normal reproduciner position, -substantially as described.

5. n a phonograph, the combination with a record-mandrelA for carrying a cylindrical record, a. reproducer-carrier, and a feedscrew for engaging a feed-nut on the carrier for giving the carrierits reproducing movement, of a reproducer having a reproducing-- point connected with the diaphragm so as to of laterally of the record, and means for shifting the reproducing-point slightly backward relatively tothe dlaphragm whenv off the record, substantially as described.

a'reprod uci'ng-diaphragm, of a member ca able of movement toward and from the iaphragm and tending to move from the diaphragm toward the'record' `and alsov capable of movement independently of the diaphragm .laterally of the record, a reproducing-point sup orted by said member and connected Wit the diaphragm, and means for shifting said member slightly backward relatively to the diaphragm when moved to carry the reas described.

bination with the iaphragm, of a member capable' of movementl toward and from the diaphragm and tending to move froin'the diaphragm toward the record and also ca able ofmovement independently of the iaphragm laterally of the record, a reproducconnected with the diaphragm, and means for shifting said member slightly backward relatively' to the diaphragm when the reproducer is moved out of operative position, substantially as described.

8. In a phonogra h-reproducer,'the combination with the iaphragm, of a member capable of movement toward and J-rom the 6. In a phonograph, the combination with producing-point ofl'l the record, substantially' 7. In a phonogra h-reproducer, the comy the record, and means-for shifting the repro- 1 `-ducing-point slightly backward relatively to- 3. ln a phonograph-reproducen the combii 4, ln a phonograph-reproducer, the come capable of movement independentlytherei i oov ing-point supported by. said member and .1 o' ducinOf-point diaphia'grn and`l tending to niove'frorn" lthe diaphragm toward the record and also capable :of movement indepeiidentlyof the' dia-v phragm laterally of' the record, a reproduc- 5 ing-fpointupported byeaidy meinberandbonneoted'witlitlie diaphragm, and an inclined eupporbfor said memberV for shift-ing said memberslightly' backward relatively to the diaphragm when moved to carry the reproo thereoord, substantially as deseriie'd. 9.11111` a phonograpli-reprodiloer, 'At-he combinationwith the diaphragm, of aniemher pivotedltoswing toward and-from the diar5- phiagni-and-also 'laterally ofthe vrecord and Y tending to move from the diaphragm toward the record, a lever pivotally mo'iili-uedon Said' member ,and eonneoted with the'ldiaphmagmf, a reproducing-point carried hy said lever, and

'a supporting--looporsaid member having an inclined Sup tion for shifting "said Gifting or` member slglitly baowaid ielai'zivelyto the:

diaphragm when ther` 'reproduoer is j moved out of `operative position; substantially as| In testimony whereof have hereuntoI Set presence of 4two subscribing 

